Maxwell Anderson's concept of man.

Maxwell Anderson has used the theatre as an exalted tribune from which he has expounded a personal philosophy. The purpose of this study is to discover Anderson's "concept of man" by means of quotations from his major plays. The term "concept of man" as defined in this study is Anderson's philosophy of man in relation to his place in the universe, and in man's relation to his fellowman. Chapters II and III contain quotations from Anderson's verse plays which give evidence of his "concept of man." Chapter IV deals with quotations which give Anderson's idea of man in relation to his fellowman. The plays in this group are mainly his plays of journalistic comment. A pessimistic view of man is often conveyed by Anderson. He uses history to prove his pessimistic philosophy that "the rats inherit the earth." He tempers this harsh belief, and gives the audience his belief in man, and man's belief in his own destiny. Anderson believes that man must be willing to die for his ideals, and if he is not willing, then life becomes as death to him. He stresses the fact that man's mind is free. The reader concludes that Anderson's concept of man is that man is inherently evil, but has within him a spark of divinity which lifts him above the common clay from which he comes. Anderson believes a man must decide for himself the attitude he will take toward government, justice and religion. Every man and every nation must have a faith or life becomes as "dry bones in a death valley." Finally, Maxwell Anderson has a dream for the race, that "it will make itself better and wiser than it is."

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1955

Author dc:creator

• Thomas, Harriett Kathryn Jolley, 1906-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Long, E. Hudson (Eugene Hudson), 1908-1990.

• Anderson, Maxwell, 1888-1959.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14226

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14226